Flying with computer parts in carryon

Parasitic

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Aug 17, 2002
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I'm taking some computer parts back home and don't have the box for motherboard and video card. They're wrapped in anti-static bags in bubble-wrap mailers. Is this going to be stupid to get through TSA with circuit boards in my carryon?

Could I just voluntarily take them out from my luggage and let them go through the scanning xray like I do with my laptop?

They wont put me on the no-fly list or anything this way would they?

And yes, this is a serious question.
 

thecoolnessrune

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Jun 8, 2005
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I do it all the time. I fill my carryon with CDs, DVDs, games, laptop, chargers for phone, headset etc, headphones, MP3 player. In fact, I *never* put electronics in my luggage. I've seen what they do to those things and would *never* trust sensitive electronic equipment in luggage. Only carryon.
 

Parasitic

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Aug 17, 2002
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Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
I do it all the time. I fill my carryon with CDs, DVDs, games, laptop, chargers for phone, headset etc, headphones, MP3 player. In fact, I *never* put electronics in my luggage. I've seen what they do to those things and would *never* trust sensitive electronic equipment in luggage. Only carryon.

I'm talking about motherboards though...exposed circuit boards.
No offense to any TSA agents who may or may not be reading ATOT threads, but the average TSA agents don't strike me as the particularly computer-savvy people.
 

thecoolnessrune

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Jun 8, 2005
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Originally posted by: Parasitic
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
I do it all the time. I fill my carryon with CDs, DVDs, games, laptop, chargers for phone, headset etc, headphones, MP3 player. In fact, I *never* put electronics in my luggage. I've seen what they do to those things and would *never* trust sensitive electronic equipment in luggage. Only carryon.

I'm talking about motherboards though...exposed circuit boards.
No offense to any TSA agents who may or may not be reading ATOT threads, but the average TSA agents don't strike me as the particularly computer-savvy people.

I just declare that I have sensitive electronics and take my time loading the parts up into the bins then I load them back up myself on the other side of the scanner.. Just plan a lot of extra time before your flight.
 

novasatori

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Feb 27, 2003
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Originally posted by: Parasitic
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
I do it all the time. I fill my carryon with CDs, DVDs, games, laptop, chargers for phone, headset etc, headphones, MP3 player. In fact, I *never* put electronics in my luggage. I've seen what they do to those things and would *never* trust sensitive electronic equipment in luggage. Only carryon.

I'm talking about motherboards though...exposed circuit boards.
No offense to any TSA agents who may or may not be reading ATOT threads, but the average TSA agents don't strike me as the particularly computer-savvy people.

I used to travel all the time with exposed circuit boards. I never got a 2nd look, or inspection.
Even with giant 5.25" SCSI drives, cables and SCSI controllers in a backpack.

Of course... this was all pre 9/11 TSA and stuff though, so YMMV. :D

I would show up extremely early for your flight, and have a backup plan.